Need Advice - Leupold VX5 HD 3-15x44 or Zeiss V4 4-16x44

[NorsemanAlaska]

I was just able to test the glass in my leupold vx5hd, on the deer in my back yard. At 8:07 at night, I was able to count 5 does in the back yard with almost no trouble at all, I was amazed at the low light clarity and crispness of the glass! I do not know much about the ziess v4, but I love the low turrit on the vx5hd.

Leupolds are AWESOME for low light at dawn and dusk. Their patented coatings formula is better then anything else I've seen. Between using the naked eye and then looking through a Leupold, at dawn or dusk, is literally like night and day....Good feedback...

 

[imyourhuckleberry]

When optical quality is about equal as well as the price, my deciding factor will be one of two things the reticle that comes with the scope or the windage elevation of each scope. Which ever scope offers the most elevation usually gets my vote.

 

[Trm82]

Leupold are great scopes and I've owned lots and also owned many other high end brands and never noticed that big of a difference at low light that you could narrow out leupold over the others. If it's that dark out that you need to rely on your scope to see properly then it's usally time to wrap it up for the evening .

Hey Mack, since no one has responded then I will =-}
We own at last count 54 pieces of Leupold optics. Over 40+ years I've only had to send ONE back for service due to the eye piece unscrewing and it lost it's nitrogen fill. They refilled and purged it and sent it back at no cost. We've hunted in our home state of Alaska for decades in all types of weather. We've hunted all over the US, Africa 3 times, Canada, Mexico and New Zealand...Never had an issue. Plus Leupold is American made and out of Oregon. I've called or emailed them countless times for technical advice or with questions and they ALWAYS answer fast. They even sent us 2 sets of free target knobs for our 2 - 6.5-20x50 Vari-X 3 scopes. They have the clearest glass I've ever seen because they have a patented lens coating application. Clarity is amazing especially at dawn or dusk when a lot of critters are harvested due to their patented lens coating system. If I were you I'd go to a gun store and look through both scopes: I can almost guarantee that you'll see better and more clear with the Leupold.... Good luck.

 

[Catahoula]

Looking at upgrading to a target/hunting scope for a Ruger #1 in 300 win caliber. Does the new Zeiss V4 4-16x44 have better glass or the Leupold VX5 HD 3-15x44. Will likely spend more time at the range than actually in the field hunting so clarity of optics and lack of glare is most important. I have a Sightron SIII 8-32x56 and I struggle with glare until I added the sunshade. Any advice?

I just bought the Leupold 5HD 3x15. The glass is amazing. Will be mounting it on a new Remington AWR 300 RUM today!!!

 

[Rich Coyle]

If you can go for a 56mm objective the VX-5 smokes most other scopes in low light.

 

[Hiwayman92]

I have a vx5hd 3-15 and really like it. I need another scope and have considered another of the same or a V4 6-24. I wish I could get a 4-20 in the vx5! For some reason I'm thinking I want the extra magnification of the Zeiss. What do you guys think? It will be going on a long range custom 300 wm build, with the main purpose being elk and deer hunting. Thoughts?

 

[Sykes]

A 5-20x44 vx5hd would be killer!

 

[Rich Coyle]

Hiwayman92,

I would buy both and return the one I least preferred. You need something like a news paper 100 yards away to really check which has better glass. I have discovered some lower magnification scopes show more detail than higher magnification scopes. None of these are under $700 scopes. You don't get what you pay for, you get what you shop for.

 

[Hiwayman92]

I've shot my 3-15 out just past 1k and can't say it wasn't enough zoom, maybe the 24x would just add heat waves more than accuracy? My 22x NF works good at distance, but I don't think that's apples to apples with the other two. I will say, the VX5 is darn close if not as clear as my NXS, and both are way more clear than my XTR II 4-20. I should probably just pick up another 3-15 Leupold and be done with it. The 5 year no fault warranty on the zeiss is definitely not as good as Leupold's warranty either.

 

[ebaas]

Anyone with the 3-15x44 VX5hd using Talley Lightweights? Trying to decide if I can use Lows or Med. Called Talley and they said most likely Med but I'd like to see if Lows are even possible. This will be on a 700 action.

 

[Hiwayman92]

I have Talley lightweight lows on my sporter barrel m70 with plenty of clearance with the 44mm vx5. On another gun I had lows with a sport barrel with a Nightforce 50mm. After I switched that gun to a Proof Sendero Light I had to switch to mediums.

 

[Sykes]

I had some medium talleys on my Ridgline with a vx5hd 44mm with plenty of room to spare. I switched the scope out to a vx6 with a 50mm and it fits perfect. Going off that I ordered a set of lows for Cooper timberline and a vx5

 

[ebaas]

Thanks guys. I have a Brux #4 barrel so I may just end up ordering both and using whatever works.

 

[James Bailey]

I have both. Both are really good! I like the zplex better than the duplex but I got a duplex firedot for the same money with the Leupold. Tough choice with no wrong abswer is the best thing though .I think you'll get away with mounting the Leupold lower.